The Los Angeles Lakers have made the necessary moves to improve this summer, but the small forward position remains shallow heading into the 2012-13 NBA season.

Despite adding Steve Nash to the starting lineup and Antawn Jamison as a key reserve, the bench in L.A is still relatively weak and the small forward spot needs some serious bolstering before the new year begins.

Without any real options at the 3-spot off the bench—and Metta World Peace seemingly a viable amnesty candidate until the day his contract runs out—the team should look at a handful of remaining free agents to help balance out the rotation.

They’re not going to get an all-star, but with one of the best starting lineups that the league has to offer, the team simply needs someone they can rely on to come in and provide solid minutes behind World Peace next season.

Mickael Pietrus

According to Jay King of MassLive.com, Mickael Pietrus will not be returning to the Boston Celtics next season.

Pietrus averaged 6.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in his only year with the Celtics.

He has historically proven he can hit shots from behind the arch, but his three-point percentage dropped last season to just 33.5 percent.

His numbers may not be where they once were, but the 30-year-old small forward would certainly provide the team with a gritty defensive presence out on the perimeter next year.

If he’s looking for a starting spot, he may choose to look past L.A.; but if he's willing to help add depth to a potential contender out West, the Lakers would be a prime location for the nine-year veteran.

Matt Barnes

Matt Barnes has spent the last two years with the Los Angeles Lakers, and is certainly a viable option to bring back again next season.

So far with the team, he’s been a solid presence off the bench, as he rebounds and defends well for a perimeter-focused position.

He can even hit the occasional three-point shot, although his career percentage is down around 33 percent.

The Lakers could look to go in a different direction, as they haven't found much success in the past two years; but if the team feels that bringing in Steve Nash is all the change they need, bringing back a player who is familiar with the system could be a good step toward continuing to improve.

Terrence Williams

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Terrence Williams has yet to truly make a name for himself, but at just 25 years old, the three-year player has room to grow.

Shot selection has been an issue for Williams in the past, but with a scorer in Kobe Bryant to whom he can defer, and a facilitator in Steve Nash who can get him the ball in the right spots, his primary role would be to make the right play when his number was called.

He’s not going to provide outstanding shooting from the perimeter, but having averaged 8.8 points in just 20.5 minutes with the Sacramento Kings last year, he could certainly come off the bench and put the ball in the basket when need be.